Shell, Steelworkers reach tentative deal to end refinery strike

The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced it has reached a tentative deal with Shell to end a nationwide refinery workers’ strike after nearly six weeks. USW said the agreement addresses its safety concerns by mandating the immediate review of staffing and workload assessments with union personnel involved at every facility. The deal also calls for a joint review at the local level of future craft worker staffing needs, with hiring plans to be developed in conjunction with recruitment and training programs. Refineries’ use of non-union contract labor for daily maintenance and repair work was a key sticking point for USW.

USW said the agreement includes yearly wage increases and maintaining the current health care plan cost-sharing ratio.

The agreement requires approval from the union’s international policy committee and the local union representing workers at Shell’s Deer Park, Texas, refinery. From there, it will go to a vote by USW’s national membership. The strike, which began Feb. 1, is affecting 15 refineries and chemical plants in the U.S.

Update: Shell confirmed the agreement on Thursday. The four-year deal includes wage increases of 2.5%, 3%, 3% and 3.5%, respectively.